Español en serio
How to Use “Para + Infinitive” in Spanish to Express Purpose Correctly
Dieser Beitrag erklärt ein wichtiges Thema der spanischen Grammatik (Text auf Englisch).
A simple guide to talking about purpose in Spanish
When we do something, we usually have a purpose. To express this, in Spanish we usually use the structure para + infinitivo, as in these cases:
🟢 Estudio español para trabajar en Madrid. I study Spanish to work in Madrid.
This is the most common form we use to express purpose, but we have some alternatives:
🟢 Estudio español CON EL FIN DE trabajar en Madrid.
🟢 Estudio español CON EL OBJETIVO DE trabajar en Madrid.
🟢 Estudio español CON EL PROPÓSITO DE trabajar en Madrid.
🟢 Estudio español A FIN DE trabajar en Madrid.
All these forms have the same meaning, but by far the most common one is the first: “estudio español para trabajar en Madrid”.
Now then: the subject of the main clause is the same as the subject of the subordinate clause. What does this mean? It means that the person who performs the action expressed by the main verb also performs the action expressed by the verb in the subordinate clause.
🟢 (Yo) Estudio español para (yo) trabajar en Madrid.
This can happen with any grammatical person:
🟢 (Él) Estudia español para (él) trabajar en Madrid.
🟢 (Nosotros) Estudiamos español para (nosotros) trabajar en Madrid.
In the next blog post, I will explain what happens when the subject is not the same. In that case, the structure is para que + subjuntivo.
A SHORT NOTE ON “POR” AND “PARA”
Prepositions in general, and por and para in particular, are a complex topic. You have probably heard that in English they are translated as for, which is absolutely wrong. Look at this:
I study Spanish to work in Madrid. Estudio español para trabajar en Madrid.
Of course it is wrong. Por supuesto que está mal.
I entered through the window. Entré por la ventana.
This was made by me. Esto fue hecho por mí.
So, why do we hear this so often if it is incorrect? The answer is that many people do not have linguistic training, including native speakers. Think about it this way: I know how to walk and I have legs, but I cannot cure a person with a disease in their legs, because I am not a doctor. A native speaker knows how to speak the language, but may not know how to teach it. After all, this is why real teachers spend years at university.
🟢 So, in order to is expressed as para in these structures (or with the alternative forms “con el fin de, con el objetivo de, con el propósito de, a fin de”).
If you are learning Spanish and find explanations like this helpful, I offer personalised online Spanish lessons for students and adults worldwide, including GCSE and A-Level preparation.
Lessons are available in English or German, and I offer a free initial consultation. You can contact me at laura@spanishforlondon.com.
Example from the episode
In our story, Imran says: “solo sirvo para cumplir las expectativas de mi familia”.
Read the full episode here →
Episode 16
Book your first free demo lesson, with no obligation on your behalf, at laura@spanishforlondon.com.
Bachelor’s degree in Literature (University of Buenos Aires). Spanish and Literature teacher. Researcher and author of Los premios Nobel de literatura. Una lectura crítica (University of Seville). More than 30 years’ experience teaching Spanish to international students.
One-to-one lessons via Zoom.
Abschluss in Literaturwissenschaft (Universität Buenos Aires). Lehrerin für Spanisch und Literatur. Forscherin und Autorin des Buches Los premios Nobel de literatura. Una lectura crítica (Universität Sevilla). Über 30 Jahre Erfahrung im Unterricht von Spanisch als Fremdsprache.
Einzelunterricht über Zoom.
